Wrapping machine



Dec. 15, 1970 wRAPPIN MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS MFE. LARKIN Filed Feb. 23, 1968 FIG.

BY 0. J. BRIDENSTINE Km Q m A T TORNE VS M. E. LARKIN ET AL I 3,546,848

WRAPYIIIG' MACHINE Dec. 15, 1970 Filed Feb. 23, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet FIG. 2

INVENTORS M. E. LARKIN BY 0. J.BR|DENSTINE A T TORNE VS M. E. LARKIN ET AL 3,546,848

Dec. 15, 1970 WRAPPING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 25. 1968 lNTERMITTENT DRIVE FIG. 3

SPEED REDUCTION FIG. 4

VENT 72 INVENTORS M E. LARKIN O. J, BRIDENSTINE q Q W A T TORNE V5 United States Patentv 3,546,848 WRAPPING MACHINE Mark E. Larkin and Orville J. Bridenstine, Bartlesville,

Okla, assignors to Phillips Petroleum Company, a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 23. 1968, Ser. No. 707,606 Int. 61. B65b 49/16, 11/28 US. Cl. 53-204 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE It is common practice in the textile industry to wind yarn on conical cores. The resulting cones are wrapped in plastic film or paper in order to protect the yarn during transportation and storage. Heretofore, this wrapping has usually been carried out by hand or by the use of semi-automatic machines. In view of the fact that substantial numbers of cones are wrapped daily in the textile industry, there is a need for a machine which is capable of wrapping cones automatically. In accordance with the present invention, apparatus is provided to meet this need.

The apparatus of this invention comprises a rotatable drum which is provided with a plurality of internal receptacles which are open to the surface of the drum. Sheets of film are carried on the surface of the drum to cover the receptacle openings. Apparatus is provided for inserting the articles to be wrapped into the receptacles and thereby displace the central portions of the films downwardly to surround the articles. The edges of the films are then inserted into the receptacles on tops of the articles to complete the wrapping. The drum is rotated intermittently so that the receptacles appear sequentially at an article loading station, and the wrapped articles are later removed at a delivery station.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide apparatus for wrapping articles automatically.

Another object is to provide a machine for wrapping and delivering cones of yarn to a conveyor.

Other objects, advantages and features of the invention should become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the wrapping machine of this invention. FIG. 2 is a central view, shown partially in section, of the machine of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the drive and timing mechanism of the machine. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a portion of the air and vacuum distribution system of the machine. FIG. 5 is a view taken along line 55 in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 illustrates a second embodiment of the receptacle inserting and wrapping features of the machine of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring now to the drawing in detail and to FIGS. 1 and 2 in particular, there is shown a drum 10 which is provided with an axial shaft 12. The drum is supported by a frame 11 for rotation about shaft 12. Rotation of drum 10 is accomplished by a motor 14 which is connected to shaft 12 through suitable drive mechanism which is illustrated schematically in FIG. 3. A plurality of openings 15 are provided in the surface of the drum in equally spaced relationship with one another, such as 90 apart, as illustrated. A plurality of receptacles 16 are secured to ice the inner surface of drum 10 beneath openings 15 to receive articles to be wrapped. These articles, which are shown as truncated cones of yarn 17, for example, are delivered to the wrapping machine by a conveyor 18.

The cones are wrapped in sheets of film 20 which are obtained from a roll 21 that is secured to frame 11. A suitable drag mechanism 22 is provided to exert a small force to prevent the film from being unrolled unless tension is applied to the film. Four perforated rods 23 are positioned Within drum 10 adjacent the surface thereof. The surface of the drum is provided with slots 24 adjacent rods 23 so that the holes in the rods are exposed to the outer surface of the drum. As the drum is rotated, a vacuum is applied to the rods so that forces are exerted to hold the film onto the drum and thereby unroll the film from roll 21. A film cutter, which can be in the form of a heated rod 26, is supported by frame 11 between roll 21 and the loading station at the top of the assembly. This rod is actuated by one or more solenoids 27 to move into engagement with the film on the surface of the drum, thereby severing sheets of film which are used to wrap cones 17.

The cone delivery conveyor includes a roller 30 which has a spiral shoulder 31 to transport the cones in spaced relationship with one another. Roller 30 is driven by a belt 32 which is connected to the drive shaft of motor 14 by the mechanism illustrated in FIG. 3. The cones to be packaged are delivered by conveyor 18 to the loading station which is formed by a cylindrical housing 33 mounted above the openings 15 in drum 10. Housing 33 contains an article holding and releasing mechanism which can be in the form of two or more clamping members 34- that are rotated about pins 35 by solenoids 36. Actuation of these solenoids causes members 34 to rotate to release a cone 17a and to grip a second cone 17b. Released cone 1.7a falls downwardly due to the force of gravity and enters a receptacle 16, thereby displacing the central portion of a sheet of film on the drum downwardly around the cone.

Shortly after the cone enters the receptacle, air under pressure is supplied to a ring 38 which surrounds the upper region of receptacle 16. Ring 38 is provided with a plurality of downwardly directed openings 39 which pass air jets toward the hollow center of the yarn core. These air jets force the edges of the film downwardly into the core and thereby complete the wrapping of the cone. After drum 10 has subsequently been rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the wrapped cone falls out of the receptacle by gravity and is received by a conveyor 40.

If the air jets are not adequate to force the edges of the film into the core, an auxiliary tucking mechanism can be provided. This mechanism can comprise a conical plunger 41 which is inserted into the core when a solenoid 42 is energized. As illustrated, this auxiliary tucking mechanism can be positioned midway between the loading station and the delivery station. As an alternative, plunger 41 can be moved by an air cylinder corresponding to element 94 of FIG. 6.

Drum 10 is rotated intermittently so that the four receptacles appear sequentially at the loading station and remain stationary until the wrapping operation is completed. Suitable drive mechanism to accomplish this purpose is illustrated schematically in FIG. 3. The drive shaft 44 of motor 14 is connected to a suitable speed reduction gear box 45. The output shaft 46 of this gear box is connected to an intermittent drive mechanism 47, which can be a Geneva drive of the type described in Ingenious Mechanisms for Designers and Inventors, vol. 1, page 74, The Industrial Press, 148 Lafayette St., New York, N.Y. (1951), for example. The output shaft 12 of drive mechanism 47 is connected to drum 10. Motor 14 can advantageously be provided with an adjustable speed control to permit the machine to be operated at various speeds.

A plurality of timing cams 50, 51, 52 and 53 are carried by drive shaft 46 to engage respective switches 50a, 51a, 52a and 53a. Switch 50a is connected in circuit with a current source 55 and solenoid 27. Similarly, switches 51a and 52a connect solenoids 36 and 42', respectively, in circuit with current source 55. Switch 53a connects a solenoid 56in circuit with current source 55. These cams are designed so as to close the associated switches to energize the solenoids during appropriate times in the cycle, as described hereinafter in detail.

Drum is provided with a plurality of first hollow spokes 60 which engage respective vacuum rods 23. The drum is provided with a plurality of second hollow spokes 61 which engage respective air rings 38. These spokes serve to support the surface of the drum and to transmit fluid pressures to the rods and rings. The inner ends of these spokes terminate in a distribution assembly which comprises a rotatable disk 62 that engages a stationary disk 63. The spokes are attached to disk 62. A spring 66 is mounted on shaft 12 to force the surfaces of the two disks together. Air under pressure is introduced through a conduit 64, see FIG. 1, which has a valve 65 therein. This valve is actuated by solenoid 56. The end of conduit 64 terminates at a port 64a in stationary disk 63. A passage 64b extends from port 64a to the surface of disk 63 which is engaged by disk 62. Spokes 61 terminate at respective passages 61a which engage passage 64b sequentially as the drum is rotated. Passage 64b is positioned so that air is directed through a spoke 61 only when the second end of that particular spoke is located at the article loading station.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, frame 11 also supports a vacuum pump 70, the suction of which is connected by a conduit 71 to disk 63. The inlet to this conduit is a part 71a which is connected to a curved recess 71b in the face of plate 63. Recess 71b is positioned so that the inner ends of spokes 60 engage the recess sequentially as drum 10 is rotated and vacuum is pulled through the spokes from a point preceding cutter 26 to a point past the loading station. This exerts a force to hold the film against the surface of the drum so as to unwind the film from roll 21. A vent passage 72 is provided in the face of disk 63 to break the vacuum as the drum rotates further, thereby releasing the film to be wrapped on the cone.

The overall operation of the packaging machine should now be apparent. Motor 14 and drive mechanism 47 rotate drum 10 intermittently so that the drum stops for a short period of time whenever one of the openings is beneath the loading station formed by housing 33. When the drum is stopped at this location, solenoid 27 is energized by cam 50 engaging switch 50a, to cut a strip of film. Solenoids 36 are then energized by cam 51 to drop a cone 17 into a receptacle 16. Thereafter, cam 53 actuates switch 53a to energize solenoid 56 to open valve 65. This applies air through spoke 61 and ring 38 to force the edges of the film into the opening of the core, thereby completing the wrapping. Drum 10 is then rotated 90 to initiate a new operation, and at the same time solenoid 42 is ene1= gized to insert plunger 4-1. This provides a final tucking force, if desired or required. When drum 10 is rotated an additional 90", the wrapped cone falls from receptacle 16 onto conveyor 40 and is removed. The cams on shaft 46 are designed to repeat the foregoing steps each time drum 10 is rotated 90 In some operations, valve 65 is not needed because air is introduced through rings 38 only when a receptacle 16 is in a cone receiving location.

While this invention has been described in conjunction With the wrapping of truncated cones of yarn, it should be evident that the apparatus can be used with articles of other configuration. It is particularly useful, however, when the article to be wrapped is provided with a central depression or opening into which the edges of the film are tucked. It should be evident that various types of films, papers or other wrapping material can be employed with this machine. In some applications, it is desirable to provide a series of grooves 15a at the surface of openings 15 in order to cause the film to be tucked into the core of the cone more uniformly.

In FIG. 6 there is illustrated a second embodiment of article loading and film tucking mechanism of this invention. As therein illustrated, a receptacle 16a is provided with a plurality of openings which are adapted to receive curved plungers '81. These plungers are rotated about pins '82 when solenoids 83 are energized. Rotation of plilngers 81 in this manner serves to force the edges of the film into the cores of the cones. These mechanical plunge-rs 81 in this manner serves to force the edges of addition, as may be desired. Solenoids 83 are energized by a cam 53 in place of solenoid 56 in the apparatus of FIG. 1.

An alternative article loading mechanism is also illustrated in FIG. 6. The articles to be packaged are delivered by a conveyor 84, which can be driven by a drive belt actuated by belt 32 of FIG. 1. Conveyor 84 drops the cones into an inclined chute 85 which delivers the cones to a pair of retaining rings 86 which are spring loaded inwardly to hold the cones. When a cone is engaged by rings 86, a switch87 is actuated to connect a solenoid actuated valve '88 in circuit with a current source 89. Air is introduced into valve 88' through a conduit 90. The valve is provided with two outlets which are connected by respective conduits 91 and 92 to the two sides of a piston 93 in a cylinder 94. A plunger 95 is secured to piston 93 so as to move downwardly when air is introduced into cylinder 94 above the piston. Valve 88 is provided with a vent 96. In the absence of switch 8 7 being actuated, air pressure from conduit normally passes into conduit 92 so that plunger 95 is in a raised position, as illustrated. When switch 87 is actuated, air is introduced above the piston to drive plunger 95 downwardly. This forces the article to be packaged past retaining rings 86 into receptacle 16a. Movement of belt 84 is synchronized with rotation of drum 10. Asan alternative, the conveyor of FIG. 1 can deliver the cones to chute 85.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with presently preferred embodiments, it should be evident that it is not limited thereto.

What is claimed is:

'1. Apparatus for use in wrapping generally truncated conical articles having axial openings therein, comprising:

a rotatable drum having a plurality of receptacles therein, each receptacle having a generally truncated conical shape and communicating with the surface of the drum to receive an article to be wrapped through an opening in the surface of the drum, said receptacles being equally spaced around the circumference of the drum, the axes of the receptacles extending along spaced radii of the drum with the larger ends of the receptacles being adjacent the surface of the drum;

means to apply sheets of wrapping material to the surface of said drum to cover the openings in the surface of the drum, each sheet being of sufficient size to enclose an article to be wrapped;

loading means positioned adjacent said drum to place articles to be wrapped into the receptacles and thereby displace the central portions of sheets of Wrapping material from the surface of the drum into the receptacles ahead of the articles;

means connected to said drum to rotate said drum intermittently about its axis so that said openings are moved sequentially adjacent said loading means, the rotation of said drum being stopped for a predetermine time interval each time an opening is adjacent said loading means;

wrapper stufling means positioned adjacent said drum References Cited in spaced relationship with said loading means so UNITED STATES PATENTS that an opening in the drum is adjacent said wrapper stufiing means each time an opening is adjacent said 230L016 11/1942 Cannard 53 204 loading means, said wrapper stuffing means compris- 2686393 8/1954 Russell 53 "234 0 j 5 3,035,379 5/1962 Cloots 53234X m means to direct a plurality of fluid streams into 3 0 6 246 10/1 6 1 3 25 the central regions of the receptacles from positions 5 26 3 g et a adjacent the surface of the drum so that the edges of 3466848 9/1969 oungndan et a 5 Cuppml 53-204 the sheets of Wrapping paper are tucked into the axial openings of the articles to be wrapped; and 10 FOREIGN PATENTS means to actuate said stuifing means when said openings 570,643 7/1945 Great B i i are adjacent said stufling means. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said loading means THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner comprises means positioned above said drum to retain arti- F N. ABRAMS Assistant Examiner cles to be Wrapped, and means to release the articles to 10 be Wrapped so that such articles fall by gravity into the U.S. C1. X.R. receptacles in said drum. 53-225 

